Does the PJStar editorial board finally get it?
Dist 150 has a credibility problem. They need public support. They need to be a little more financially realistic. This is shocking. Who knew?
My favorite part:Â
“They insist this can be accomplished without a tax increase.”
“It’s true, debt can be structured in such a way that there is no net tax hike, but let’s be honest: There is no free lunch. If District 150 doesn’t build these schools, conceivably Peorians could get a tax cut. If the terms of these construction loans are extended, that means taxpayers will be paying the additional principal, plus interest for a longer period of time. In any event, these two new schools, plus several more down the road, represent more money out of local taxpayers’ pockets.”
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I like the way they phrase that - no NET tax hike. Call me jaded, but somehow I don’t think they’d really let the tax rate go down even if they weren’t building these new schools.
Lets face it, good or bad, we all know where Glen Oak School is going to end up, and I hope it’s one kick ass school, but what becomes of the old school site? Will it become a neighborhood park? That would be ironic, indeed!
When they start working on Harrison school and ask for the public’s opinion, maybe they should actually listen and consider what the neighbors have to say… I know that’s a radical idea, but I’m trying to think ‘outside the box’ like an educator would.
Conversely, if Dist 150 wants to continue doing business as usual, they should take some of our tax dollars and at least hire a good PR guy. (a little free advice there)
[pjstar]
August 5th, 2006 at 5:23 pm
I was talking to someone recently who said the district has never replaced their longtime public / internal communictaions guy, John Day, who retired quite a while ago. That seems like a pretty important position. Hope they do take the paper’s advice and consider how they can improve relations with their employees and the community.